Eating Disorder Psychologist Brisbane

Private, compassionate help for disordered eating, bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating.

Are you struggling with an Eating Disorder?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by food, eating, or body image concerns, you are not alone. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Whether you are experiencing restrictive eating, bingeing, purging, or obsessive thoughts about food or your body, help is available. Connect with experienced eating disorder psychologists in Brisbane who offer sensitive, evidence-based support tailored to your unique needs.

Eating Disorders Psychologist in Brisbane

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Rachael Vishram

Clinical Psychologist

I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years of experience working with adults. My background and particular interest area lie in the assessment and treatment of adults with Eating Disorders. I have worked in a multidisciplinary health setting for many years to help individuals change their health behaviours.

I can help with all types of disordered eating, emotional eating, and health behaviour improvement. I approach all eating issues through a person-centred, non-diet, weight-neutral and Health at Every Size® (HAES) approach. I primarily use strategies from the CBT-E, a cutting-edge development in CBT treatment, especially designed for eating problems and disorders, as well as intuitive eating frameworks, to foster a more relaxed and healthy relationship with eating, food, movement, and your body.

I am a Credentialed Eating Disorder Mental Health Clinician with the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED). This means I am regularly required to undertake additional professional development and Supervision specific to this field to stay up-to-date with the latest evidence-based research and effectively assess and treat Eating Disorders.

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Types of Eating Disorders I Support

As an experienced, credentialed psychologist, I can work with individuals presenting with a wide range of disordered eating behaviours, including:

Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
Orthorexia (obsession with “healthy” eating)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Body image concerns and chronic dieting.

I can also support people who don’t meet the full criteria for a diagnosis but still struggle with food, eating, self-image and weight concerns.

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How Therapy Can Help You

Psychologists with expertise in treating Eating Disorders use evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) and other evidence-based approaches to help you:

Develop a healthier relationship with food.
Understand the underlying emotional and psychological drivers.
Reduce distressing behaviours and thinking patterns.
Build self-esteem and body acceptance.
Learn practical strategies for recovery and resilience.

A safe, non-judgmental space can help you explore these challenges at your own pace.

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Eating Disorders FAQs

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition. It involves an unhealthy obsession with eating, exercise and/or body shape. Eating disorders affect about 4% to 16% of Australians [1]. With appropriate treatment, recovery from an Eating Disorder is possible.

Eating disorders are thought to result from a process where people become intensely concerned with their shape and weight and judge themselves based mainly on this. These patterns of thinking, feeling, body weight and eating habits can cause people to have multiple physical problems, a constant preoccupation with weight, shape and eating, and frequent distress.

What is the most effective treatment for Eating Disorders?

What is the best treatment for Eating Disorders?

Recovery from an eating disorder is a personal and individual journey. Everybody is different, and so should their treatment approach to overcoming an Eating Disorder. Generally, eating disorders are treated by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, including a psychologist, dietitian and doctor.

Psychological Treatment

Psychological treatment is often required to help people recover from an eating disorder. A standard therapy method psychologists use is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT). CBT Therapy can help you manage eating-disorder-related thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Nutrition Education

A dietitian can assist you in learning healthy eating behaviours.

Medication

Although there is no specific medication to treat Eating Disorders, a GP or psychiatrist may prescribe medicine to treat any co-morbid presentations such as depression or anxiety.

Do Psychologists deal with Eating Disorders?

Do Psychologists Deal with Eating Disorders?

Psychologists can help with all types of disordered eating, emotional eating, and health behaviour improvement. They often approach all eating issues through a person-centred, non-diet, weight-neutral, and Health at Every Size® (HAES) approach.

Psychologists use evidence-based therapies and strategies such as CBT-E, a cutting-edge development in CBT treatment especially designed for eating problems and disorders, and intuitive eating frameworks to result in a more relaxed and healthy relationship with eating, food, movement and your body.

Some psychologists are passionate about and strongly interested in the assessment and treatment of people with Eating Disorders. They undertake specific training and development and may be Credentialed Eating Disorder Mental Health Clinicians with the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED). As such, they are regularly required to do extra Professional Development and Supervision specific to this field to stay up-to-date with the latest evidence-based research to assess and treat Eating Disorders effectively.

What are the different types of Eating Disorders?

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa represents about 3% of all eating disorder cases in Australia [1]. People with anorexia nervosa are constantly preoccupied with food. They tend to see themselves as ‘overweight’ when their body weight is extremely low.

Due to starvation and malnutrition, they experience changes in the brain, making it difficult for them to recognise and accept that they are not healthy and well.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa accounts for about 12% of the eating disorder cases in Australia [1].

People with bulimia nervosa experience frequent frequent binge eating episodes. Unlike Binge Eating Disorder, they ‘purge’ the food they’ve eating by forcing themselves to vomit, and taking laxatives.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder represents almost 50% of all eating disorder cases in Australia [1]. People with Binge Eating Disorders consume large amounts of food, often followed by feelings of guilt and shame. They don’t force themselves to purge or vomit what they’ve eaten, however, they may fast or go on a diet as a result of a binging episode.

Do I need a GP referral to see an Eating Disorders Psychologist?

You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist privately. However, you may be eligible for an Eating Disorders Management Plan (EDMP) from your GP, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. If you are unsure, our team can guide you through the process.

What if I’m not sure I have an Eating Disorder?

What if I’m not sure I have an Eating Disorder??

That’s okay. Many people psychologists support don’t have a formal diagnosis. If food, eating, or body image affect your life, it’s worth talking to someone.

How many sessions will I need to treat an Eating Disorder?

It depends on your individual situation. Eating disorders often take time to work through. Recovery is a process, and ongoing support can make a big difference. The Australian Government recognises this too. Through Medicare, you may be eligible for an Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP), which provides rebates for up to 20 individual therapy sessions per calendar year, and — if needed — up to 20 additional sessions after a review with your GP or psychiatrist.

Your psychologist will work with you to set goals, pace things in a way that feels manageable, and regularly review your progress together.

Can you help if I’m also experiencing Anxiety or Depression?

Yes. It’s very common for people with eating disorders to also experience anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or low self-esteem. These challenges are often interconnected and can influence your relationship with food and your body.

ANZAED credentialed and psychologists with expertise treating eating disorders are also equipped to treat co-occurring concerns. Your psychologist will work with you to understand the bigger picture and help you build skills to manage distress, regulate emotions, and improve your overall wellbeing, not just your eating behaviours.

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Sources

[1] HealthDirect – Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Psychologist Brisbane

Are you struggling with an Eating Disorder?

Eating Disorders Psychologist in Brisbane

Rachael Vishram

Types of Eating Disorders I Support

How Therapy Can Help You

Eating Disorders FAQs

What is an Eating Disorder?

What is the best treatment for Eating Disorders?

Nutrition Education

Medication

Do Psychologists Deal with Eating Disorders?

What are the different types of Eating Disorders?

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge Eating Disorder

Do I need a GP referral to see an Eating Disorders Psychologist?

What if I’m not sure I have an Eating Disorder??

How many sessions will I need to treat an Eating Disorder?

Can you help if I’m also experiencing Anxiety or Depression?

Make an Appointment

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